Folic acid, also known as folate or Vitamin B9, is a member of the B vitamin family and an essential cofactor for enzymes involved in DNA and RNA synthesis. More specifically, folic acid is required by the body for the synthesis of purines, pyrimidines, and methionine before incorporation into DNA or protein. Folic acid is particularly important during phases of rapid cell division, such as infancy, pregnancy, and erythropoiesis, and plays a protective factor in the development of cancer. As humans are unable to synthesize folic acid endogenously, diet and supplementation is necessary to prevent deficiencies. For example, folic acid is present in green vegetables, beans, avocado, and some fruits.[L5744] In order to function within the body, folic acid must first be reduced by the enzyme dihydrofolate reductase (DHFR) into the cofactors dihydrofolate (DHF) and tetrahydrofolate (THF). This important pathway, which is required for de novo synthesis of nucleic acids and amino acids, is disrupted by anti-metabolite therapies such as [DB00563] as they function as DHFR inhibitors to prevent DNA synthesis in rapidly dividing cells, and therefore prevent the formation of DHF and THF. When used in high doses such as for cancer therapy, or in low doses such as for Rheumatoid Arthritis or psoriasis, [DB00563] impedes the body's ability to create folic acid. This results in a deficiency of coenzymes and a resultant buildup of toxic substances that are responsible for numerous adverse side effects. As a result, supplementation with 1-5mg of folic acid is recommended to prevent deficiency and a number of side effects associated with MTX therapy including mouth ulcers and gastrointestinal irritation. [DB00650] (also known as folinic acid) supplementation is typically used for high-dose MTX regimens for the treatment of cancer. Levoleucovorin and leucovorin are analogs of tetrahydrofolate (THF) and are able to bypass DHFR reduction to act as a cellular replacement for the co-factor THF. There are also several antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) that are associated with reduced serum and red blood cell folate, including [DB00564] (CBZ), [DB00252] (PHT), or barbiturates.[A37004] Folic acid is therefore often provided as supplementation to individuals using these medications, particularly to women of child-bearing age. Inadequate folate levels can result in a number of health concerns including cardiovascular disease, megaloblastic anemias, cognitive deficiencies, and neural tube defects (NTDs). Folic acid is typically supplemented during pregnancy to prevent the development of NTDs and in individuals with alcoholism to prevent the development of neurological disorders, for example.
Multivitamins and Minerals With Betacarotene Tablets
O-Cal Prenatal Vitamin
Children's Chewable Multi-vitamin
DermacinRx FoliPlus D
Escavite
FerroGels Forte
NESTABS ABC Prenatal Multi-vitamin/Mineral Supplement with DHA/EPA
Moms Choice Rx
Zavitrol
B-complex-50 Tab
NewFolic
Cavan Alpha
Folika-D
Vitaplex
Nexa Select
Nestabs ONE
Vita-Pac
Mr. Tumee Multi-vitamin
Virt-C DHA
Prenate DHA
Natal PNV
Folvite
Neonatal Fe
Nephrocaps
Supravite Stress Avec Vit E
Omnivex
Strovite One Caplets
Complete Multivitamins and Minerals for Children
Mega Capsules
Poly Vi Flor Chewable Tab
Vitabanks Vitamin Tab
Multivitamin
PR Natal 430 ec
Stress Formula
Vitrexyl plus Iron
Vinacal
Zoo Chews Plus Iron
PreGenna
Folplex
Total Living Concepts Formula One - Tab
Vitamin B Compound W C Tab 500mg
ProFola
BP Vit 3
Folcaps
Neonatal DHA
Folitin-Z
Nephrocaps-QT
Polymine Avec Zinc Et Cuivre
Great Day/am Formula Tab
Pro Pcos Citrus
Vitamin B Complex 50
Poly-Vi-Flor Gummies
CitraNatal Harmony 3.0
PNV Tabs 20-1
Formula Ch. Les.
Calcium PNV
B Stress C + Iron & Vite
Pnv-OB-dha
Folic Acid Inj 5mg/ml USP
For Kids Only Chewable Multivitamins
Luna Vitamin and Mineral Bar for Women
B6, B12 & Folic Acid
Prenatal Formula Tab
vitaMedMD Rx Plus
Folic Acid
Cavan-EC SOD DHA
Cedevita Sugar-free Vitamin Supplement
KeyFolic
Multiple Vitamins
Super B Compound W 500mg Vit C
Protect Plus SO 60
Prenatal Vi-min
Trinatal Rx 1
Sodium Polysulthionate and Folic Acid
Integra Plus
Triveen-Duo DHA
Folcaps Care One
CitraNatal Medley
Folic Acid 1mg With C 20mg
Folivane-Plus with Ascorbic Acid Precursors
Prena1 Plus
Folcyteine
PNV-Select
A.R.T.H. Away Formula
EnLyte
Prenaissance
Maintain Multiple Vitamin & Minerals
Stress Formula Tab
Folite
Folic-K
B50 B Complex Tab
N.U.T. Complex
24 Multivitamins + Minerals
B-complex With Vitamin C, Biotin, Folic Acid
Swical-energy 3e Age
Folgard
Kindervites
Flinstones Multiple Plus Iron
Formula Cp Cap
L.C. Supplement
Multi #2
Pro His Mint
Foltabs Prenatal
FUSION Sprinkles
Super Multi
Tar-end
Vitamin B12 Plus Tablets W Folic Acid
Hill.vite
Vp-heme Ob
Sulfzix
Childrens Chewable Vitamins
TL-Folate
Multivit with Fluoride
Neonatal19
Multivitamin & Multimineral
Nicomide
Virt-Care One
Children's Chewable Multi Vitamins
hormaSAN forte
Replavite
Vitranol Fe
Dialyvite with Zinc
Omniquin
Concept DHA
Vitamin B Complex Suppl
Triveen-PRx RNF
Niferex
FeRivaFA
Femitab Tab
Dexivite
Bio-b12
Bal-Care DHA
Tandem Plus
Viva CT Prenatal
HemeNatal OB
Chewable Multiple Vit Plus Iron for Children
Stress Formula Vit B With C Complex
Energy 80 Prolonged Release Tab
NuFera
Chela Potassium Plus
Nutra-Z
One Per Day Vitamin and Mineral Dietary Supplement
Fem - Control
Materna
Multiple Vitamins and Minerals
Mvc
Vp-pnv-dha
Natafolik
Multi Vitamin - Mineral
Reaphirm Plant Source DHA
B Compound 50mg Tab
Folvite Tab 5mg
Prenavite Tablets
Myferon 150 Forte
Children's Chewable Multi Vitamins With Iron Tablets
PRENATE Enhance
Vitafol
Elite OB Prenatal Multivitamin
Super Pantoplex
B Complex 50+ Caplet
Lipo-B-C Tab
Methazel
Cifrazol
Vitafol One
Folivane-OB
PreQue 10
VemaVite-PRx 2 with Fish-Based DHA
Xyzbac
Multi Vitamin-mineral Formula
Multivitamines Et Mineraux Reguliers / Regular Multivitamins and Minerals
Reliv So Sense Daily Vitamin Supplement
Taron BC
Balanced B-100 Timed Release
Vinate Care
Vinate AZ
Women's Biomultiple Vitamin and Mineral Supplement
Multi B
Reno Caps
CompleteNate Chewable
Iron Vitamins B6,b12,c,folic Acid Tab
Nephron FA
P.N.P. Vitamin Drink
Prenara
Supravite Stress Avec Vit E Cuivre Et Zinc
Tricare Prenatal DHA One Rx Multivitamin
Fortamines 10 Capsules
Amerix Multivitamin
Nutri-Tab OB
Multivitamins and Minerals - Complete
Prenatabs FA
Vitaphil 90 DHA
Zalvit
WesNatal DHA Complete
Folika-NC
Zoo Chews
Vp-heme Ob DHA
C.R.D.-force
Cavan Heme OB
Children's Chewable Multiple Vitamins - Tab
Ortho DF
Homosistrox Capsules
Prenatal Plus Iron
Prenatal Vitamin and Mineral Supplement Tab
Prenate Mini
Remedient
Formula Gly
Concept OB
Formula U - Tab
Prenaissance Plus
Extra Once A Day
Folic Acid & Vitamin C
INATAL Ultra
Zeldana
Zolate
Leritone Antistress
Liqui B Complex
Earthpals Children's Chewables Multi-vitamin & Mineral Tablets
Nata Komplete
WellFola
Indication
Folic acid is indicated for the treatment of folic acid deficiency, megaloblastic anemia, and in anemias of nutritional origins, pregnancy, infancy, or childhood.
Drug Info/Drug Targets: DrugBank 3.0: a comprehensive resource for 'omics' research on drugs. Knox C, Law V, Jewison
T, Liu P, Ly S, Frolkis A, Pon A, Banco K, Mak C, Neveu V, Djoumbou Y, Eisner R, Guo AC, Wishart DS.
Nucleic Acids Res. 2011 Jan; 39 (Database issue):D1035-41. | PMID:21059682